[FallenAngel]

My new mare doesnt really respect me. Shes not mean. Just can be really pushy.

She has a catching issue too, in the field , and even in the round pen!
But once i have the lead around her neck she will stand and let me halter her.

She also can be a little wierd if i try to touch her face. Ive been trying to slowly work on it and its a bit better i guess.


So what are some things i can do to help gain her respect and trust ? And how can i work on her catching issue?



Oh also, while riding she drifts off the rail. I try to use my inside leg to bring her back on the rail but she ignores it. How can i go about getting to to stop drifing in and ignoring my leg?

Thanks guys

[equestriandynam]

I would stop riding and go to ground work. establishing a relationship there is much more beneficial than anything you can do in the saddle.
She either doesnt respect you or doesnt fully trust you or people in general... also depending on how you handle her she could be resenting you for catching her in the field, because to her it means nothing but work and a turnout.(nothing in it for her)
If you know how to do a 'join up' then work on that. Your goal is to keep her attention, an ear or an eye on you at all times, submissive stance, and to control her movements completely. Once she has done what you have asked then you can invite her in. You must be the boss mare.
Thats where i would start if i were you. Remember not to be too threatening or else you can lose her trust and ruin the excercise. But let her know you mean business. Do you work with a trainer?

[lvmypnt]

For the respect issue I would just start some good old fashion ground work. Use a round pen if one is available and make her move those feet. Do lots of transitions and changing direction. Get her to hook on to you, teach her the difference in your space and her space. If there is not a round pen available you can do the same thing on line.

The catching issue is a pretty easy fix but will take a little work on your part. When you go out to the pasture to get her, take a whip with you and as soon as you see her getting the idea of moving slap that whip on the ground and make her run. Wait till she stops and walk up to her again, as soon as she starts to move then run her off. The whole key of this is to make her moving your idea and not hers. So you have to be on time with sending her off. In other words you need to time it so you are actually sending her while she is "thinking" about leaving and before she actually lands that first foot fall. She will figure out that it is easier for her to stand still and let you get her than it is to be run around.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

[Caterina]

For her catching issue...
Does she have a itchy spot? or a favorit treat?

You can try the catch and release stratigy.

Catch her, and then praise, either with a treat or a scratch to that itchy spot. Then release. Then repeat.
Do this over and over and over again.

Then leave her be and go back later and repeat the whole deal.

[equestriandynam]

yep as lv said, and the same rule applies to ringwork and join up. If she wants to move away then you move her away. Just say 'fine then, if you want to walk off, i'll make you trot off' puff up, send her out, then calmly follow her, when she stops then walk up to her, dont look at her eyes look at her chest, and if she does it again then make her move out again.
If she only goes a short distance as her to come, if she starts fading or avoiding then push her away.

However make sure you see the difference between Fear and Avoidence. If she is leaving you out of fear then i would strongly suggest you not drive her off. A different technique is needed.

[Drafty]

i used to do the caught and release with my horse whn i first got him he was scared of everything except foos after doing that for a while he finally started coming up to me and after that it was a piece of cake

[lvmypnt]

Thank Equestrian I wasnt even thinking of the fear issue. If she is leaving out of fear I would use the approach and retreat method........

For instance say she lets you get with in 10 foot of her before she leaves. Then I would walk up to the 9' mark, stand there for a few minutes, turn around and walk away from her. Next time go to 9.5' mark, stand, turn around and walk away. Next time go to the 10' mark, stand, turn around and walk away. The key here is for you to walk away from her before she walks away from you. The next time get a little closer but if you see her getting ready to move the you be the one to walk away first.

Hope this one makes sense.

[Drafty]

you have to help them overcome it and gain there trust it is easier then ithink

[katylynn06]

Originally Posted by lvmypnt

The catching issue is a pretty easy fix but will take a little work on your part. When you go out to the pasture to get her, take a whip with you and as soon as you see her getting the idea of moving slap that whip on the ground and make her run. Wait till she stops and walk up to her again, as soon as she starts to move then run her off. The whole key of this is to make her moving your idea and not hers. So you have to be on time with sending her off. In other words you need to time it so you are actually sending her while she is "thinking" about leaving and before she actually lands that first foot fall. She will figure out that it is easier for her to stand still and let you get her than it is to be run around.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

I've done this with my mare and it works. She was being a ****** in the pasture and I would try to approach her and she would start to walk or run the other way I sent her away after about 2 or 3 times of this. I approached her and just stood there and said are you done do you want to come here now and she would walk right up to me.

[Drafty]

you better get thzt under control